Police: Man who killed 3 kids had stalking, assault record

A small memorial of a stuffed animal and candles left by neighbors sits outside an Albuquerque, N.M, home on Tuesday, a day after police say a man broke in and fatally shot three children. Albuquerque police say the three children were killed and their mother is in critical condition after the gunman shot them when they arrived home Monday night.(Photo: Russell Contreras/AP)

ALBUQUERQUE - Court records show a man who shot and killed three children and critically wounded their mother had a history that included cases of stalking and assault.

George Daniel Wechsler pleaded no contest in 2003 to misdemeanor stalking and petty misdemeanor assault against a family member. He was also arrested in 2004 for reckless driving, but police say he had no felony record.

Authorities say Wechsler on Monday broke into the home of his 36-year-old ex-girlfriend and waited for her and her children to get home. He then shot them before turning the gun on himself.

The mother has not been identified and remains hospitalized in critical condition.

Police have said the two had a brief relationship and that Wechsler offered to give Christmas gifts to the children several days before the shooting but the mother refused.